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An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines

An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines. Northeast Area Association of State Foresters Stowe, Vermont July 13, 2009 Robert Perschel, Forest Guild Northeast Region Director 508-756-4625 bob.perschel@verizon.net. Introduction and Goals.

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An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines

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  1. An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines Northeast Area Association of State ForestersStowe, Vermont July 13, 2009Robert Perschel, Forest Guild Northeast Region Director508-756-4625bob.perschel@verizon.net

  2. Introduction and Goals • Review different state approaches to biomass harvesting guidelines. • Review elements covered in state approaches. • Review recommendations for development of state based guidelines.

  3. Drivers of Rising Biomass Demand • Less expensive than fossil fuels • Renewable fuel • Domestic, secure • Climate and carbon friendly when sustainably produced • Encouraged by state and maybe federal RPS and other incentives • Replacement for traditional markets

  4. Potential Positives of Biomass Harvesting • Can provide new markets for forest products • Can allow more productive management through TSI and improvement thinnings and reduce forest fuels and wildfire hazard • Can improve forest aesthetics • Can improve recreational access

  5. Potential Negatives of Biomass Harvesting • Degradation of soil nutrient levels and compaction -resulting loss of forest productivity • Degradation of forest habitat structure • Standing live and dead, CWM, FWM • Degradation of water quality • Over-harvesting of forest resource • Using sawtimber for energy production • Removal of future crop trees and loss of future productivity

  6. Why Do We Need Biomass Guidelines? • Example #1 Pennsylvania • Old BMP’s- use as much harvested wood as possible to minimize debris • New Guidelines- leave 15%-30% of harvested biomass as coarse woody debris

  7. Why Do We Need Biomass Guidelines? • Example #2 Maine • Maine is falling short of its targets (4 trees per acre) for large trees and biodiversity protection. According to 2003 inventory data: • Large Rough and Rotten- less than 1 tree/acre • Large Dead- slightly more than 1 tree/acre

  8. Forest Guild Report • An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines • Forest Guild January 2009, 20 pages • Available at: • http://www.forestguild.org/publications/research/2009/biomass_guidelines.pdf

  9. Related Guild Reports • A Synthesis of Knowledge from Woody Biomass Removal Case Studies • Harnessing the Power of Local Wood Energy • A Market Based Approach to Community Wood Energy: An Opportunity for Consulting Foresters • www.forestguild.org/biomass.html

  10. Biomass Harvesting Guidelines • Maine • Minnesota • Wisconsin • Pennsylvania • Missouri • Forest Stewardship Council • Canada

  11. Approaches • Verify that current BMP’s are adequate • Craft separate biomass guidelines to augment BMP’s • Revise existing rules, recommendations, BMP’s

  12. Common Elements • Dead Wood • Wildlife and Biodiversity • Water Quality and Riparian Zones • Soil Productivity • Silviculture • Disturbance

  13. Example: CWD • WI: >4”, Retain and limit disturbance • MN: >6”, 2-5 bark on logs >12” • ME: >6”, Several downed logs, State goal is 3 logs/acres >15”

  14. Federal Legislative Update • Waxman-Markey HR 2454 ACES • No biomass harvesting sustainability requirements for credit eligibility. • Senate discussion draft includes requirements for: • State level biomass guidelines • Forest management plan by a professionally trained and accredited forester or, • Third party certification

  15. Report Recommendations • Base guidelines on sound science • Define “woody biomass” • Base guidelines on local ecology • Consider guidelines for each element • Make guidelines practical and easy to follow • Use opportunity to encourage excellent forestry

  16. Report Recommendations • Make clear and specific recommendations: • CWM • CWM generated by harvest • FWM • Standing rough, rotten, dead and recruitment • Forest floor and litter layer • Ensure adequate nutrient replenishment by end of rotation cycle in even aged management and close to optimum for uneven aged.

  17. Next Steps • Forest Guild is now developing biomass harvesting standards for NE forest types. • Timeframe – 6 months to a year • As a guide for our members • To aid states where BMP’s are under development • To provide consistency across states • As a tool for 3rd party certifiers of biomass harvests

  18. Related Guild Reports • A Synthesis of Knowledge from Woody Biomass Removal Case Studies • Harnessing the Power of Local Wood Energy • A Market Based Approach to Community Wood Energy: An Opportunity for Consulting Foresters • www.forestguild.org/biomass.html

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